Former 60 Minutes anchor claims CBS News pushed pro-Trump coverage under editor Bari Weiss

Former 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley told a Speak Up for Justice panel that CBS News staff were directed to "put a thumb on the scale" in favor of the president’s viewpoint. Pelley, who was dismissed from the network in June after a 40-year tenure, said the pressure came from corporate influence within the news division and led to a major restructuring of 60 Minutes last year.

"There was an imperative to move our coverage in the direction of the president to put a thumb on the scale, if you will, in terms of the president's viewpoint," Pelley said at the panel.

Pelley added that resistance to the directive resulted in the "complete gutting of 60 Minutes" without warning or explanation. He also recounted an internal meeting where he accused editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of harming the program, quoting an audio recording obtained by The New York Times.

Weiss, who founded the digital outlet The Free Press and joined CBS News a year ago, has responded that editorial decisions are part of an editor-in-chief’s role. Critics have suggested her leadership has steered coverage toward the Trump administration, while other insiders describe her as a valuable listener who incorporates diverse ideas.

The Independent sought comment from CBS News but did not receive a response.